The new Forza Horizon racer is due to go on sale around the world from October 23, but Australian fans will get a first taste when AIMS opens on October 19.

Joining the long-running Forza Motorsport series, Horizon makes a departure from the track-focused approach of earlier chapters, jumping into the popular story-driven street-racing genre.

Turn 10 describes Horizon as an open-world environment that "puts a spotlight on speed, style and the freedom of the open road".

The story revolves around the Horizon music festival in Colorado, and while details are thin on the ground, we can likely expect a vibe similar to the Race Wars scenes from the popular The Fast And The Furious film.

The game promises 65 different surface types and conditions, including tarmac, gravel, dirt and snow in varying grades of grip.

A Project Gotham Racing-like points system will also feature, meaning that players can rack up points not just by winning races, but also through executing impressive powerslides and burnouts.

More points, Turn 10 says, will mean increased popularity for your character, and - more importantly - a greater range of opportunities in the game's storyline.